Attorney General candidates answer a question about how their qualifications will help them perform position duties if elected, during the 2018 Attorney General Candidate Forum, Aug. 13, 2018.
Frank San Nicolas/PDN

Members of the voting public and others met with prospective and incumbent island leaders during an "One on One with Candidates" event in the center court of the Micronesia Mall in Dededo on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018.(Photo: Rick Cruz/PDN)

"In past elections, the major candidates for governor could expect to spend about $1 million per side in the election cycle. In this case, we have five candidates for governor this cycle, so the amount to date does not appear unusual to me," said Ron McNinch, a public administration professor at University of Guam and longtime political observer.

Candidates can sidestep higher costs

McNinch said it is interesting to note though that savvy candidates can sidestep higher costs by earned media.

"This was why Clinton outspent Trump 2:1 in 2016. I think the higher cost is driven by angst, not inflation per se," the UOG professor said.

The Republican Party of Guam raised $27,760 and spent $23,842, compared to the Democratic Party which raised $2,063 and spent $861.

The Guam Citizens for Public Accountability raised $6,814 and spent nearly as much.

These are based on preliminary primary election campaign contributions and expenditures reports that candidates, political parties and political action groups were supposed to turn in by Aug. 15.

The filing of the final primary election campaign finance reports is Sept. 10.

Largest, smallest spenders

Of five gubernatorial teams, former Sen. Lou Leon Guerrero and her running mate Joshua Tenorio, Democrats, reported building a campaign fund reaching nearly $1.12 million and expenditures of a little over $1 million.

Landing on second place is Republican Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio and his running mate Tony Ada, who raised $443,492 and spent $425,441.